Maziarz: Bill aims to protect law enforcement animals

by jmaloni

Press release

Tue, Mar 19th 2013 05:35 pm

State Sen. George Maziarz said Tuesday that, in light of the
events last week in Herkimer County where an FBI dog was killed, the Senate is
pleased to stand by its legislation that gives proper recognition to those who are
often overlooked in the law: law enforcement animals. Bill S. 1079 increases the
penalties for killing or injuring a police animal by making the offense a Class
D felony. Under current law, killing or injuring a police animal is a Class A
misdemeanor.

State
and local law enforcement agencies increasingly rely on the use of animals to
assist in crime solving and rescue and recovery operations. These animals and
the services they provide are valuable to the citizens of New York and,
significant time and resources are devoted to training them. In addition, under
current law, a person is guilty of this crime when the animal is killed or
injured while the animal is performing its duties.

This
bill expands the crime to include killing or injuring the animal when the
animal can be identified as a police animal by means of its presence in a
police vehicle or an emergency vehicle, or by its enclosure in a marked area.

"Police
animals are often overlooked and don't get the recognition that they deserve as
an integral part of the law enforcement community that helps keep our
communities safe day in and day out," said Maziarz, the sponsor of this
legislation. "Recent events in Herkimer County have shown us how important the
actions of police animals like Ape, the FBI dog killed that day, can be in
saving lives and apprehending criminals. The federal government and many other
states have enacted laws to enhance the protections afforded to police animals,
and it is long past time that New York does the same."

Sen.
James L. Seward said, "Police animals serve and protect just like their human
counterparts, and in many cases they are the first line of defense in a hostile
situation. That was the case in Herkimer where an armed killer held a small
community in fear until FBI dog Ape led officers to the criminals location,
bringing to an end a tense two days. Ape gave his life to protect others and
that type of courage should be honored. I have co-sponsored legislation
elevating penalties for killing or injuring a police animal for some time, and
I hope the added attention of Ape's death will help bring final adoption of the
measure."

"As
a former mayor, who has seen firsthand the work of these highly trained, heroic
animals, we should consider felony charges when they are harmed." said
Sen. Joseph Griffo. "These dogs are part of the law enforcement who
protect the public, and when you attack them, you are a threat to law
enforcement."

This
bill, S. 1079 was passed by the Senate last year, and is currently on third
reading. Assemblyman Zebrowski announced Tuesday that he will co-sponsor the
legislation in the Assembly.